Post #608127 by Psycho Tiki D on Mon, Sep 26, 2011 11:04 AM

I had the unique pleasure of being contacted by Gary Erwin, great-nephew of velvet artist Bill Erwin.

Gary shared the following information with me:

"Bill was my Grandfathers brother. Bill and his parents and family moved often from Oklahoma, Texas, California and Oregon. Bill was a sign painter in California and moved to Hawaii. Bill was alive in Hawaii in the 1960’s.

My father was given two paintings and my Grandfather had one.

Bill was a sign painter in the Sacramento and the San Francisco area prior to moving to Hawaii. I have a self portrait of Bill and a floral painting (not on velvet) as well my father has a young male Polynesian drinking from a coconut, and a Wahine portrait. The drinking painting is superb!

Bill was Edgar Leeteg’s protégé and did study with him. You can find examples where both painters used the same subject.

Bill also painted horses on velvet for rich horse owners. Bill was portrayed as the bohemian in the family".

I have asked if Gary Erwin could share photos of the paintings he owns with us. Gary says he will send me some pictures at some point and when he does, I will post them here.

Later,

PTD